St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Leigh

St Joseph's is a Roman Catholic church in Leigh built in Gothic Revival style with a spacious nave, polygonal chancel, and side chapels throughout. The building is constructed from hammer-dressed sandstone with a slate roof and is anchored by a tower at the western end.

The church was built in 1855 under Father John Middlehurst's leadership, replacing an older chapel that once gave Chapel Street its name. This construction marked a turning point when the Catholic community could worship openly in a dedicated building.

The name honors Saint Joseph and reflects the strong Catholic community that settled in this industrial town. Visitors today find an active parish where the local congregation gathers regularly for worship and community events.

The building remains an active parish church with regular services throughout the week and on Sundays. Visitors should be respectful of worshipers and check local information for visiting hours when services are not in progress.

Shortly after completion, the original hammerbeam roof developed structural problems and required reinforcement with iron columns and arches. These metal supports remain visible today and tell the story of how the building had to adapt to stay strong.

Location: Wigan

Inception: 1855

Architects: Joseph Hansom

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

GPS coordinates: 53.49400,-2.50800

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:22